By: Prabjjyot (Sukham) Kaurr Bindra, Senior Vice President, North India Sotheby’s International Realty
The concept of Micro Homes has been very popular in the West. Homeowners have realized that a small abode actually helps them to easily connect with family, friends, and nature while freeing them from wastefulness and unnecessary expenditure.
Monuments to the aspiration to simplify life, mini houses focus on the use of eco-friendly materials and solar power panels. The usual cost of construction of a luxury mini homes range between US $65,000 – $200,000 depending on the size and features. A mini house may be built in as less as 7 days but can also take up to a year, in some cases. Hence, they are far better in terms of construction, maintenance and tax costs and easily survive the strain of rough handling, lifting and shifting to desired sites. They might even have wheels to ease the movement from a place to another. Units without wheels can be effortlessly lifted by cranes or trucks.
Despite their small size, these structures maintain their charm and luxury with thoughtful, smart and innovative designs. They still manage to provide all the amenities you’d expect in a full-size home, offering enough room for a bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom regardless of their footage, location and neighborhood. They utilize dual-purpose features, multi-functional furniture and space-saving equipment and appliances. Vertical space optimization is also a common feature of these houses and apartments. Extravagant services like a health club, swimming pool, sports facilities, and clubhouses could be used on a sharing basis within a community.
These mini homes are a hit amongst many young couples nuclear families, young entrepreneurs, and retirees who have an urge to travel often and live a simpler, minimalistic way of life with as little impact on the environment as possible. These type of individuals wish to settle in these homes either permanently or temporarily. Micro homes are also attractive as second homes options, guesthouses or retirement houses – they are usually set in resort-like surroundings with gorgeous scenery, high-end amenities, and neighbors who share similar views.
Even the most affluent class want to break free from the typical mindset of living in huge, massive estates and are now shifting to smaller yet accessible smart homes. They do not see it as a sacrifice but believe that sometimes “Less is More!”
Lastly, because these small but highly functional dwellings include all the amenities you’d expect in a luxury hotel room, and are sometimes built to travel, they maintain their value for years. One can firmly say that there has been a positive social movement from the traditional large farmhouses, mansions and bungalows to simple and compact Micro homes, that highlight a lifestyle rich in comfort and luxury!
With over 18 years of corporate work experience, Prabjjyot (Sukham) Bindra has gained abundant knowledge in real estate management, office operations, facilities management and strategic marketing. Her core competencies include business development, customer management and creating partnership alliances. She has worked with iconic establishments such as CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Hamptons International, DLF and the Australian High Commission. She also played an instrumental role in setting up a temporary office for the Australian PMO in Delhi on two occasions where she closely interacted and worked with the Honorary PM Mr John Howard. Ms Bindra spent her growing up years in Thailand and is well versed with multiple languages including English, Hindi, Punjabi, Thai and Marathi. She has also worked as an educator at Delhi’s Vasant Valley School. Her personal interests include painting, listening to music and exploring new destinations.
